Today was the day that we were all supposed to start replacing our DSL lines with unlimited Virgin Mobile plans. However, the company is reporting difficulties with enabling their systems to activate these new plans.

The $40 unlimited plan on Virgin Mobile’s broadband2go is groundbreaking because it bucks the trend of 5 GB capped plans. In addition, it provides users on capped smartphone plans (such as AT&T) with an exit; they can carry a Novatel MiFi and avoid overpriced tethering and other highway-robbery-related fees.

The company has acknowledged that the $40 unlimited plan is not yet available on their activation system, but that they expect it to be within the next 48 hours. Also, the company confirmed to PhoneNews.com that they do indeed expect and welcome its use as a replacement for home broadband connections. With the rise of carriers capping home internet connections. Sprint and Virgin Mobile are poised to offer customers an alternative or backup connection for when home internet providers pull the plug.

Christopher Price is the Founding Editor of PhoneNews.com. Today, he leads the team building Console, Inc. - a new kind of Android™ device. He still likes to pontificate... a lot. You can visit his personal blog at ChristopherPrice.net.

2 responses to “Virgin Mobile Delays Groundbreaking Unlimited Plan, Due to System Errors”

I am outraged that Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go (B2G) is removing existing pricing plans for ‘already purchased’ MC760 devices. I bought mine on 6Aug2010 and immediately subscribed to the $20 one month service, which is sufficient for our needs.

They are threatening to discontinue that limited service for the $40 unlimited service which we don’t need. We will be paying the extra $20 and get nothing for it.

Existing owners MUST be entitled to use the old plans for a reasonable period, say 24 months.

Daniel, unfortunately that is the double-edged sword of prepaid. When you sign a contract, the carrier has a financial interest (generally in the form of a device subsidy) to honor your plan.

When you don’t sign a contract, the carrier has the right to change plans at any time.

If you use between 101 and 300 MB, yes, this is unfortunately a rate increase. As of tomorrow (or so), however, you will be stuck paying it. You can always sell the device on eBay, but I don’t really see much benefit in going with Verizon or AT&T… both charge around $40/month for 250 MB.

Virgin was pretty smart in this change, by eliminating the $20/month plan for those 101-300 MB customers, they know you probably aren’t going to go anywhere else… because the unlimited plan is still cheaper than the 250 MB plans on other carriers.